The President of Uzbekistan has put forward a number of important initiatives within the framework of the global climate agenda

On December 1, at the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the main plenary session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), which is taking place these days in Dubai.

The event is attended by heads of state and government from more than 170 countries, heads of reputable international organizations and financial institutions.

At the beginning of his speech, the head of our state, sincerely congratulating the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates on the national holiday and the successful organization of the historic summit, highlighted the Emirates' global initiatives in the fight against climate change and contribution to green development.

As the President of Uzbekistan stressed, climate change has now become the most important challenge on the path of sustainable development. This is especially acutely felt in Central Asia and neighboring regions against the background of the Aral tragedy, one of the most devastating environmental crises of our time.

The leader of our country drew the attention of those present to several facts.

Thus, the increase in air temperature in Central Asia is twice the global average, the number of extremely hot days has doubled, and a third of the glacier massifs have melted.

Soil degradation, regular dust and sand storms, shortage of drinking water, air pollution, reduction of biodiversity, a sharp decrease in yields and much more have a negative impact on the quality of life of millions of residents of the region.

The President stressed that the transition to a "green" economy and the achievement of carbon neutrality are a priority strategic task of the New Uzbekistan.

In recent years, the share of alternative energy generation in our country has doubled. According to the head of state, by 2030, capacities will be created to generate 25 gigawatts of renewable electricity. The first practical steps have already been taken to implement the project for the production of "green" hydrogen.

In addition, 1 billion tree seedlings are being planted in Uzbekistan as part of the Yashil Makon initiative. Thanks to forest plantations with a total area of 2 million hectares at the bottom of the Aral Sea, air pollution in the Aral Sea region is reduced.

Turning to the issues on the main agenda of the event, the leader of Uzbekistan put forward a number of proposals.

In particular, the President of our country called for the early coordination of the Global Framework Mechanism in the field of Adaptation to Climate Change within the framework of the Paris Agreement.

In this context, the Adaptation Strategy being developed on the platform of the Central Asian Climate Dialogue was noted.

The Head of State highly appreciated the decision taken on the eve of the creation of the Global Fund for Losses and Damage.

The active support of these mechanisms by the World Bank and international financial institutions will make it possible to provide significant assistance, first of all, to those countries that are suffering from climate change.

It was emphasized that the global transition to a low-carbon economy must be fair, transparent and inclusive, and must take into account the interests of developing countries.

It is proposed to consider this urgent problem on an ongoing basis, including within the framework of the G7 and G20 summits.

In order to turn the Aral Sea region into a Zone of innovation, technology and new opportunities, the head of our state invited everyone to work closely to create an International expo hub of climate technologies in this region in order to apply advanced knowledge, experience and solutions.

In addition, the President proposed to establish a close scientific exchange and conduct joint research on the platform of the Climate Science Forum, created on the basis of the Green University, with the involvement of leading scientists and experts from foreign countries.

The agenda of the forum will include topical issues of preventing soil degradation, rational water use, guaranteed food security and others.

At the same time, together with the United Nations, a conference on "Climate migration" is planned to be held in Uzbekistan in 2024.

The Head of our state also announced initiatives to develop a Green Employment program together with the International Labor Organization, as well as the creation of a Center for modeling the impact of climate Change on employment.

In order to actively involve young people in the effective solution of climate problems, they expressed their readiness to organize a COP Youth Conference in our country.

Reaffirming Uzbekistan's commitment to the universal idea of humanity to combat climate change, the head of our state called for support for the holding of the Samarkand International Climate Forum next year and the adoption of a special resolution of the UN General Assembly reflecting the common approaches of the Central Asian countries.

At the end of his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reiterated his confidence that the results of the Dubai summit will serve to further bring all countries and peoples closer together on the way to a sustainable, prosperous and secure future of the planet.